Happy New Year 2018!

Can you see the snow-covered Andes through the fog? (on our way to and from the coast by comfortable buses. Transportation in Chile is great.

We ended the old year with lots of parties given by many of the temple shifts, a game night with senior missionaries, a bus trip to the beach (very foggy, the roads crowded with all of Santiago heading out of town, carnivals) and fireworks, and a quiet weekend at the temple housing, except for the ever-lively missionaries in training looking for some fun!

Beaches are mostly covered with interesting rocks, lots of seaweed and not safe for swimming

The land is rich in agriculture and much like much of California, but the snow covered Andes rise in the distance. I'm waiting for a clearer view of them.

 

I was excited to see the old historical center of Santiago on a 3 hour walking tour on January 1, 2018., which started on the Plaza de Armas at the cathedral. The city was mostly deserted today after a night of fireworks and revelry. Our guide was actually from Madrid so I could easily understand the Spanish and English he spoke to our large international group. So many of the buildings have been destroyed in the many earthquakes, wars, coup d'etats, etc. Today Chile is one of the most stable, progressive, successful Latin American countries, though it still relies very heavily on its chief export product, copper. 

Tribunal, court building in the center of Santiago. Although Santiago is still the capital, some government buildings have moved to Valparaiso, once the largest port (now it is San Antonio)

Presidential offices occupy La Moneda Palace, built in 1846 though in the past it was the home of presidents. It was badly damaged during the Pinochet coup d'etat during the end of Salvador Allende's short term (1970-1973)

I may be down near the bottom of the world, but life is comfortable here in Santiago, I am enjoying meeting many people, find people who know people I know every few days, which always amazes me, gain new perspectives and see more closely things I had only read about or imagined.  I see miracles and the hand of the Lord in the lives of people here.